Well, ’tis the season. The road construction season, that is. Road repair crews are popping up all over Island Park and there is serious expansion of the road (new passing lanes, etc.) in several locations.
While I’m normally a complainer toward road construction delays (especially where there is no alternate route to avoid the construction) this is important work. Island Park has seen a marked increase in traffic over the last few years and much of that traffic consists of RV’s, motor homes, big rigs, vehicles with trailers full of toys behind, etc., all of which slow things down.
The biggest danger of an accident here in Island Park is from some impatient soul who can’t wait to be ahead of a long line of slower traffic. As these people push the envelope, we’re all at risk. For that reason, I applaud the state of Idaho in their efforts to make our highways safer.
Delays have been short up to this point — about 10 – 12 minutes max. Flag crews have been good to keep things moving and not let things get out of hand. And look at it this way: if you have to be stuck in traffic somewhere, there is no better place than Island Park to do so.
So be patient and don’t let the delay get to you. Oh, and by the way, if you feel inspired to offer a cold one to the flagger, don’t be shy. I’ve never see one turn down anything cold and wet. It might not help you get through the construction any faster, but it will sure make his / her day!
